Psalm 119:160 - Words for the word

All your words are true;
     all your righteous laws are eternal.

Yesterday in my blog post I used several words all basically meaning the same thing: the Bible. In this Psalm 119 section all of these words are synonymous: law, promise, decrees, statutes, word, precepts. If you are familiar with the Bible you probably know this, but the old testament has the law (Genesis-Deuteronomy) given by God to the Israelites (Jews). The Psalms are referring to this law. When Christ came to the earth and died on the cross, he fulfilled the law. That is why most Christians no longer follow the Jewish Laws. The new testament books were all written after Christ's death. Both the old and new testaments are God's word and all these words above describe both.

Lord, As we have said so many times, thank you for your word. Please help us to study it and love it more and more every day. Amen,

Psalm 119:24 - Wonderful law

Your statutes are my delight;

     they are my counselors.

This section of 119 praises the law. I have never really thought of a list of rules as something wonderful to long for, but the author of this Psalm did. As a Christian and follower of the teachings of Jesus, I am not as familiar with the Jewish Law as I could be. This passage makes me want to go back and study the law to unlock the wonderful things within the decrees.

Lord, thank you for your law. Please help us to read your law in an effort to learn more about you. Amen.

Exodus 39:42 - Following instructions

The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

The Israelites followed God's meticulous plans for the tabernacle. Are you good at following instructions? Some people zone out at soon as they are being instructed. I'm pretty good at reading or hearing instructions and following them...as long as I agree with them. As Christians we don't have a set of laws to adhere to as the Israelites did, but there are commands in the New Testament, guidelines for us to follow.

Lord, thank you for giving us parameters to live by. Please help us to hear and follow those instructions. Amen.

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Exodus 21:1-2 - The First Laws

“These are the laws you are to set before them:  “If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything.

After giving the Ten Commandments, God gives Moses the laws for the Israelites. I find it interesting that the first laws were about slavery. I am sure, after 400 years of slavery, this was a hot topic for them. These laws were set down by God, reassuring them they would never be enslaved again beyond 6 years.

Lord, thank you for hearing our concerns and addressing them. Please help us to trust you and follow the commands you have given us as Christians. Amen.

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Hosea 14:9

Who is wise? Let them realize these things.
    Who is discerning? Let them understand.
The ways of the Lord are right;
    the righteous walk in them,
    but the rebellious stumble in them.

Any set of laws or rules are good for those who follow them. They bring order and fairness. But those same rules provide problems for people who don't follow them. The rules become something to disagree with and challenge. The rules become something which can be broken and therefore punishment follows. 

So is the solution to do away with the rules? No. The Lord's ways are right. His rules are perfect, even when we don't understand them. The laws of a society may or may not line up with God's ways, but rules in general are still a good thing. In most cases these differences do not prevent the righteous from following God's ways.

Lord, thank you for showing us your ways, they are a path for me, a way to follow in your footsteps, to know right from wrong. Please make us wise and discerning, so that we will understand. Amen.